Norwegian midwiveś experiences of encounter and support women with fear of childbirth during birth

Abstract

Objective: To describe midwiveś experiences of encountering and supporting women with fear of childbirth (FOC) during the birth.

Method: Qualitative study with a phenomenological approach, using 10 individual semi-structured interviews with midwives who had cared for women with FOC during the birth. All midwives worked in birth clinics or maternity wards. The data was analysed using Malterud́s systematic text condensation (STC).

Results: The findings present in three main themes: taking on a professional role as a midwife to take care of women; time matters for safety and trust; and to encounter and see women without prejudices. Themes to describe a 'professional midwife' included self-confidence, control, competence/experience, independence, promoting normal birth, and motivation. Time played a crucial role in enabling a calm approach and a relationship built on trust, as well as in creating a sense of continuity and being present. Individual care and equality among the women was of importance to prevent prejudices, as was having control of the term FOC. Self-awareness was also important for evaluating the quality of the relationship, and the midwives' wanted clear guidelines for handling women with FOC.

Conclusion: Aspects related to professional midwifery skills, organisational factors such as time to establish safety and trust, and use of the concept of FOC, are all important for midwives when encountering and supporting women with FOC at birth. All these aspects need to be improved in the care of women with FOC, and clearly defined guidelines for handling such cases need to be developed.

Keywords: Encounter; Experience; Fear of childbirth; Midwife; Support.